Tag: Kenya

Zimbabwe Among 14 African Nations Facing Alarming Rise in Drug-Resistant Infections

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Results from a newly published study highlight the growing spread of drug resistance across 14 African countries, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen laboratory testing, data systems, and health planning to tackle hard-to-treat infections. The study, known as the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership (MAAP), is the largest of its kind ever conducted in Africa. It was led by a coalition including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), One Health Trust, and other regional partners.…

Read More

Gilead’s Secrecy Over HIV Prevention Shot Sparks Global Outrage

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Gilead Sciences has come under fire after announcing a secretive deal to supply its long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir (LEN-LA), to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The agreement—shrouded in indefinite price secrecy—has been widely condemned by civil society organisations, health advocates, and global health experts who warn it undermines transparency, accountability, and equitable access. The Global Fund, financed by public money, has invited nine African countries—South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria—to participate in the agreement. However, the…

Read More

Alcon Celebrates One Year of Advancing Eye Care Through its Phaco Development Program in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today commemorated the first anniversary of its African Phaco Development Program (PD). This milestone reflects the program’s significant achievements across South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia, with plans for further regional expansion. Alcon remains committed to the principle of “Skill Africa, by Africa, for Africa,” as it continues to enhance healthcare capacity and improve access to eye care across the continent. According to the World Health Organization1, over 110 million people in Africa suffer from…

Read More

Zimbabwe Among 17 African Nations to Receive WHO and Africa CDC Support for Targeted Mpox Vaccine Rollout

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has been selected as one of 17 African countries to receive targeted support for mpox vaccine development, a major initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The initiative aims to bolster vaccine preparedness and deployment efforts across the continent, with a focus on effectively reaching populations most at risk of mpox. Other countries benefiting from this support include Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia,…

Read More

WHO-Afro Calls For Collaborative Cross-Border Surveillance for Mpox In Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa While Mpox cases have been on a downward trend in most World Health Organisation (WHO) regions, the same cannot be said for Africa as cases have been increasing every month since the beginning of 2024. With over 99,000 laboratory-confirmed cases, and 208 deaths having been confirmed globally since January 2024, the total number of cases reported in 12 African countries as of August 18, 2024, according to the WHO Afro Region is 4,562 and 35 lab-confirmed deaths. WHO has since declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of…

Read More

#BREAKING: Zimbabwe Among Five Africa Countries Battling Anthrax Outbreak

Michael Gwarisa

By Own Correspondant Brazzaville – Five countries in East and southern Africa are experiencing anthrax outbreaks, with more than 1100 suspected cases and 20 related deaths reported since the start of the year. A total of 1166 suspected and 37 confirmed cases have been recorded in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe – where the disease is endemic, with seasonal outbreaks every year – according to data reported to World Health Organization (WHO). Of the five countries, Zambia is witnessing its largest outbreak since 2011, with nine of its 10…

Read More

NAC’S sponsored Zimbabwe Women Amateur Golf Tournament goes into fourth year

Kuda Pembere

ABOUT partnership between the National AIDS Council (NAC) and the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU), continues to grow with year’s Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament which starts on Friday expected to attract more numbers up for cervical screening. By Kudakwashe Pembere Cervical cancer screening helps identify cancer at an early stage before it can cause symptoms. Ending on Sunday, the tournament brings will see other countries such as Kenya and Zambia taking part in the tournament. Addressing the media at a press conference, Margaret Vera said this is year’s tourney will…

Read More

Hundreds Thousands Of Condoms Go Missing In Kenyan Warehouse

Healthtimes

Hundreds of thousands of condoms, mosquito nets and tuberculosis drugs worth $100,000 (£77,000) are alleged to have disappeared from a warehouse operated by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa). BBC They are believed to have been stolen and resold on the black market and to private chemists, according to the UN’s Global Fund to fight HIV, TB and malaria. It also accuses the agency of drastically inflating the price of the medicine, with some drugs being sold for one hundred times the correct cost. The government agency has not yet…

Read More

Merck Foundation Trains 100 African Cardiovascular Experts

Healthtimes

Merck Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany in partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies, and Academia celebrated the World Heart Day by providing one-year Post-Graduate Diploma and two-year Master degree in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine to 100 doctors from 25 countries in Africa and Asia. By Patricia Mashiri The initiative shows commitment towards building Cardiovascular preventive care capacity in Africa, Asia and beyond. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation said he was proud of the training they have been providing so far in…

Read More

Zim On Track To Fulfilling 1994 ICPD Commitments

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE  will tomorrow be presenting new commitments to the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) summit in Kenya, Nairobi amidst indications that the country is amongst the few countries which have excelled in advancing Sexual Reproductive Health services to young women and girls in line with international trends. By Michael Gwarisa in Nairobi, Kenya In 1994, more than 179 governments converged in Cairo, Egypt where they committed to advance quality sexual reproductive health services and population development in line with modern day needs. In an interview on the side-lines of…

Read More